To sign up for email updates from Macomb County or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your email address. If you would like to subscribe for text alerts please select Text Updates in the drop-down menu.

Influenza (flu)

Influenza is a contagious respiratory infection that spreads readily from person to person.Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine to help prevent sickness, serious complications, and possible death from influenza.

It takes up to two weeks for the body to develop immunity, so get vaccinated as soon as the flu vaccine is available. Protection lasts throughout the flu season, which usually peaks in February and continues into the spring.

Keep germs away from others – Don’t go to work, school, or gathering places when you have a fever. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Cough into your arm, or if you cough into your hand, wash it thoroughly immediately. Also note, people can spread flu for about a day before they feel sick and for about a day after they are better.